Allah (subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has said: “And perhaps you hate something while it is good for you, and perhaps you love something while it is bad for you. And Allah knows while you know not.” (Sūrah al-Baqarah : 216)

And the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam said:

“How amazing is the affair of the believer, for all of it is good, and that applies to no one except the believer. If something good happens to him he gives thanks, and that is good for him; and if something bad befalls him he is patient, and that is good for him.” (Muslim)

Trust that there is benefit in the matter according to the perfect knowledge of Allah. The Prophet sallAllahu alyhi wasallam had to leave his beloved city of Makkah; nonetheless it was for a great benefit. When we believe in Allah’s justice and wisdom we know for certain that He does not decree except what is good. Appreciation of blessings is complementary to patience. One can appreciate his own condition more when comparing it with others whose afflictions are greater than his own. The believer praises Allah that his affliction was not greater than it was and for whatever is left to him that could have been taken away. He acknowledges that the remaining blessings are far greater than what he lost. Undoubtedly, this attitude is the source of much forbearance and peace of mind.

Allah has blessed man in countless ways that cannot compare to the limited problems he faces. These blessings are sufficient to instill in a believer gratitude to Allah, acceptance of His decree and patience to endure it. The Prophet SallAllahu alyhi wa-sallam taught us this du‘aa’: "O Allah, make not our affliction in our religion and make not the world our greatest concern or the sum of our knowledge.”(At-Tirmidhi)

It was also narrated that Abu Bakrah said: The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam said:“The supplication of the one who is in distress: O Allaah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not abandon me to myself even for the blink of an eye. Set all my affairs straight, there is no god but You.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (5090); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

A believer recognizes Allah’s blessings during good times and bad. He acknowledges the aspects of divine decree and mercy even during misfortunes. Umar bin al-Khattāb (RA) remarked,

“No disaster strikes me in this world but that I see in it three blessings: that my faith was not shaken, that it was not worse than it was, and that Allah will reward me for it.”

The life of this world fluctuates between periods of relative ease and difficulty. Problems and tests are decreed for believers to develop reliance on Allah and to earn His approval as well as a reward infinitely greater than the adversity. And there even may be some benefits of which we are not aware at present. Keep in mind that in the Hereafter you can receive such a great compensation it will make you forget everything you have endured during the worldly life.

There are varying degrees of loss and hardship. The Prophet Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam said,

“Look at those with less than you and do not look at those with more than you, for this makes you less likely to underestimate Allah’s blessings upon you.”(Muslim)

In times of trial one should turn to Allah for consolation and compensation. When patience is practiced, seeking blessing and reward from Allah, and when the Muslim is certain of the positive results, it will turn into acceptance, which overcomes bitterness in the soul. Patience is undoubtedly one of the most difficult forms of worship, but that is why it earns unlimited reward in the eternal life to come. Allah has said: ”Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”(Sūrah az-Zumar:10)

Unhappiness and discontent help us to remember Allah; we tend to forget Him when all is well. If not for this problem we would probably not be making as much du‘aa’ to Him. Allah instructed,“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer…”(Sūrah al-Baqarah : 153)

We long for Paradise due to the many discomforts and inconveniences of this world. We must constantly deal with trials and misfortunes throughout life by practicing patience and reliance upon Allah. So the believer always repeats what he was taught by his Prophet Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam to say at the time of disasters:

"Alhamdulillah álaa kulli haal"– "Praise is due to Allah in every condition.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

and

"Qaddara-llaahu wa ma shaa'a fa'al(a)"- “Allah has done what He decreed and willed.”(Muslim)

Along with accepting the will of Allah and being content with in by bearing it with patience, the Prophet Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam also said:“Nothing can avert divine decree except du’aa."(Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi-hasan) He meant that when a person avails himself of the prescribed means and calls upon Allah in du‘aa’, this is also part of the divine decree, so one decree is repelled by another when Allah wills it.

The Prophet Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam also said:“There is no Muslim who does not offer any du’aa’ in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his du’aa’ sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.”Narrated by Ahmad (10749), classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb.

Allah (subhanahu wa Ta’ala) knows best which one of the three responses is most beneficial to the person who calls upon Him. So may He enable us all to accept His decree in every matter and to find and appreciate its benefits.

We must always remember the words of the Prophet Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam as this will remind us that there is indeed reward in everything that befalls a Muslims, as he Sallallahu alayhe wa-sallam said:"No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness afflicts any Muslim, even to the extent of a thorn pricking him, without Allah wiping out his sins by it." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

"Do not detest the misfortunes that befall you, for what you detest may be the cause of your salvation and what you like may be the cause of your ruin."Al-Hasan Al-Basree

"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones."(2:155-157)

SubhanAllah, even in grief and misery Allah SWT has bestowed upon us His favours and mercy for those who understand and are patient. There are many other countless Quran and hadith verses and sayings in regards to patience and being content with divine decree. May we be content with what Allah SWT has decreed for us and "O our Lord, pour out on us patience, and make us die as those who have submitted (to You)."(7:126)

Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah, of them some have fulfilled their obligations, and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed in the least. (Quran 33:23)

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَعَسَىٰ أَن تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ"Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know" - Quran 2:216